Friday, 21 March 2014

Intrepid travelers keen to win the 2014 River Canal Rescue Cruising Challenge trophy
(recognising the most enterprising non-continuous journey) can log journeys
undertaken since the last Inland Waterway Association Festival rather than wait
until the usual ‘beginning of year’ qualifying period.

RCR
and the IWA have given entrants more time to log journeys to encourage greater
exploration of the UK waterway system, particularly useful as participants
receive additional points if they visit lesser-used waterways and reach distant
end-of-navigations and inland tidal sections.

Anyone
attending the Saul Waterways Pageant (23-25 August) and submitting their log in
person, with or without boat, is eligible to enter. In the past, only those
turning up with their craft could apply.

RCR
MD Stephanie Horton said: “In previous years the timescales have been limited,
making the more inaccessible parts of the system difficult to visit. By extending the qualifying period from last
year’s Festival to this new event, we’re providing entrants with greater
flexibility when it comes to route planning and we’re opening the competition
up to a wider audience.”

The
only restriction for the RCR Cruising Challenge Trophy is that no section of
canal or river may be counted more than once in the same direction in the same
calendar month. Entrants are required to
supply a full cruising log at the 2014 Waterways Pageant, showing miles and locks,
which must be supported with evidence (photographic or otherwise) of reaching
key destinations during the cruise.
Judges will consider the log presentation and the overall cruise
content, rather than the longest journey.

The
qualifying period for the other two RCR-sponsored trophies; the Robert Aickman
Challenge (most enterprising journey) and AP Herbert (longest journey) remains
around eight weeks before the summer event and boat travel is required when
submitting logs. RCR will continue to
give away a year’s free gold, silver and bronze memberships to the three trophy
winners.

Wednesday, 12 March 2014

Boat owners keen to move displaced vessels which have been grounded as a result of the high water levels are being urged to seek assistance before attempting to move them. The advice comes from River Canal Rescue Managing Director Stephanie Horton who has found an increasing number of customers appear keen to take matters into their own hands.

She
comments: “We recently had a call from the wife of one of our more elderly
customers pleading with us to stop her husband from wading into the river
Thames in order to try and free their 26ft cruiser which was listing severely
due to its moorings being flooded and the ropes left too tight.

“Having
explained the importance of identifying the optimum time to undertake a rescue
attempt and the associated hazards, the customer relented and decided to wait
until one of our teams arrived on site to assess the situation. What started as
an assessment visit ended up as a rescue – which we did for free. Our customer still insisted on assisting us
though! He was so relieved his boat,
which would have sunk, was saved he gave the engineer his new waders. He only bought them in order to get to the
boat.”

Stephanie
continues: “At the end of February, a boat owner jumped into the river Thames
at Abingdon and swam after his 60ft narrow boat after witnessing it breaking
its moorings. Luckily a lock keeper saw what was going on and rescued the
boat owner. By this time however, the owner injured his arm and had to go
to hospital. He called us before seeking treatment as although between
them they managed to secure the vessel, the boat had caught on something under
the water. When the engineer attended to
see why the propulsion failed he found the prop shaft had come away when it hit
something.”

She
concludes: “It’s only natural to want to protect your boat and possessions but
sometimes it’s better to take a step back and consider the potential risk to
yourself and others who may have to rescue you. RCR is here to help in an
emergency; we have three teams and can be on site within hours if required ...
so make that call first.”

Sunday, 9 March 2014

Boat owners interested in signing up for River
Canal Rescue’stwo day Boat and Engine
Maintenance courses this year need to book early as spaces are filling fast,
advises Managing Director Stephanie Horton.

She comments: “A few spaces are still available on
the 17-18 May course, however, demand tends to peak just before the summer and
continues through to September. We
always receive a lot of enquiries via our stand at Crick in May, so it’s wise
to book now to avoid disappointment.”

The courses
cover basic boat engine maintenance and boat electric systems and suit all
backgrounds, particularly DIY fans and those keen to develop their knowledge
and skills.

To ensure participants gain more ‘hands-on’
experience alongside the theory, four engines are provided.

The Maintenance courses cost £100 and after the May
session (April is fully booked), will be held on 12-13 July, 16-17 August,
13-14 September and 25-26 October. A follow-on course, Boat Electrics, taking a
more in-depth look at marine diesel engines is also available at £130.

To find out more visit www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk call 01785 785680 or
email enquiries@rivercanalrescue.co.uk